Trails at white rock

1. Opportunity for peace on the Korean PeninsulaDPRK leader Kim Jong-un (left) and US President Donald Trump in a summit in Singapore on June 12th, 2018 (Photo: Xinhua)Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un have met three times in 2018 amid warming ties between the two Koreas. The two leaders met each other two times in the Truce Village of Panmunjom, on April 27th and May 26th. The third inter-Korean summit took place at Pyongyang on September 20th. At the events, the two leaders signed the Panmunjom and Pyongyang Declaration in which RoK President Moon Jae-in and top DPRK leader Kim Jong-un agreed to end hostile relations, increase cooperation and exchanges, and denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. Earlier, DPRK leader Kim Jong-un on April 27th officially stepped over a cracked slab of concrete, the world’s most heavily armed border, to greet the RoK’s President Moon Jae-in. The two leaders met at the Demilitarised Zone that divides the two countries for a historic summit, the … [Read more...] about Ten most significant world events in 2018

Ninh Thuan has been in the news recently as an ideal location for generating renewable energy. It was also in the news a few years ago as the site for nuclear power plants, plans for which have since been shelved. But this south-central province is notable for many other features that sets it apart from other locations in the country. One of the driest provinces in Vietnam marks the curve on the S-shaped nation’s coastline. Given its proximity to famous tourist destinations like Nha Trang and Da Lat, Ninh Thuan is surprisingly unspoilt. This arid land does not just boast a highly picturesque coastal route, it has a topographic diversity that situates it between the desert and the sea. It also carries vestiges of the Champa Kingdom, underlining the province’s historical importance. Two provincial routes are part of Ninh Thuan’s 107km long coastal road: DT701, from Ca Na to Phan Rang; and DT702, from Phan Rang to Binh Tien. One day on each route, visiting several … [Read more...] about You cannot go wrong, going to Ninh Thuan

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday called off his planned June summit with Kim Jong Un, blaming "open hostility" from the North Korean regime and warning Pyongyang against committing any "foolish or reckless acts." In a letter to Kim, Trump announced he would not go ahead with the high-stakes meeting set for June 12 in Singapore, following what the White House called a "trail of broken promises" by the North. Just before Trump announced the cancellation of the talks, North Korea declared it had "completely" dismantled its nuclear test site, in a carefully choreographed move portrayed as a goodwill gesture ahead of the summit. But the chances of success for the unprecedented face-to-face had recently been thrown into doubt. Trump's announcement, in which he vowed to pursue Washington's campaign of "maximum pressure" through sanctions, came a day after Pyongyang hardened its rhetoric by attacking Vice President Mike Pence as "ignorant and stupid." "Sadly, based on the tremendous … [Read more...] about Trump cancels summit with N Korea’s Kim over ‘broken promises’

Bach Ma (White Horse) National Park challenges visitors in stark contrast to the traditionally slow pace of life in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue. Bach Ma Mountain in Thua Thien – Hue province (File Photo) Located some 50km to the south of the old capital city of Hue, Bach Ma prides itself on offering bold expeditions into the forest. The park is known for its bio-diversity, with more than 1,400 species of fauna and flora spread out across 37,000 hectares and guarded by a mountain peak standing 1,430 metres above sea level. The beauty of lakes and waterfalls along the trail, which attracts avid trekkers, has helped attracted travellers from far and wide to the park. The adventure starts gently at a two-storeyed roundhouse known as Vong Hai Dai, which acts as a viewing point and rest-stop. The trail then winds past five pristine lakes and waterfalls. Three kilometres down, travellers reach the starting point to the first lake. The 7km trek involves a steep … [Read more...] about National Park draws visitors to Thua Thien – Hue